Cash Flow & Tell

What does it really take to grow a business when every decision feels like walking a financial tightrope? In this episode, Lauralee Sheehan—chief creative officer and co-founder of Digital 55—unpacks the raw realities of scaling when costs are high.Whether you’re an SMB founder navigating growth, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes of creative entrepreneurship, this episode offers refreshing honesty and actionable insights on managing cash flow under pressure.Key Takeaways:Creative approaches to managing cash flow when inflation and rising costs squeeze marginsThe meaning of “smart scaling” and why following traditional scaling definitions can be a major mistake for small businessesCriteria for making strong reinvestment decisionsStories about runway crunches and the sacrifices Lauralee has made to keep her business thriving—and how she stays groundedSubscribe to Cash Flow & Tell for more unfiltered conversations with entrepreneurs on raising capital, managing cash flow, and scaling businesses. Explore more episodes and resources here: https://www.fundthrough.com/cash-flow-and-tell-podcast/how-to-scale-smart-while-costs-soar/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep-4-listing&utm_content=learn-more #CashFlow #SMB #Entrepreneurship #ScalingSmart

When is the best time to raise funds for your startup? How do you get investors to say yes to your business? In this episode, serial entrepreneur and angel investor Janice Liu, Founder & CEO of Mantis, shares lessons from her journey from both sides of the negotiating table building and investing in startups.From navigating product-market fit to knowing when to raise (or when not to), this episode is packed with insights for founders who want to scale sustainably without losing their footing.Key Takeaways:What investors really look for in early-stage founders—and how to build their confidenceWhy storytelling discipline and consistent communication matter more than hype when raising capitalHow to decide whether to bootstrap, borrow, or raise—and the trade-offs of each pathThe mindset shift that helps you stay flexible as you growWhy conviction and self-knowledge are as critical to entrepreneurship as capitalSubscribe to Cash Flow & Tell for more unfiltered conversations with entrepreneurs on raising capital, managing cash flow, and scaling smarter. Explore more resources here: https://www.fundthrough.com/cash-flow-and-tell-podcast/private-investors-101-how-to-know-youre-ready-and-get-them-to-say-yes/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep-3-listing&utm_content=learn-more #CashFlowAndTell #Entrepreneurship #AngelInvesting #StartupFunding #SMB #ScalingSmart

When is the right time to bring on a CFO? Should you hire a fractional CFO, start with a bookkeeper, or wait until your company is bigger? Serial entrepreneurs and FundThrough Co-Founders Steven Uster (CEO) and Deepak Ramachandran (President) share their firsthand experience navigating this critical decision.They unpack the signals that tell you it’s time to make a finance hire, the risks of waiting too long, and what B2B leaders should look for in their first CFO–through stories of doing it successfully. Whether you’re raising capital, managing complex cash flow, or simply wondering when to hire a CFO, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and make an informed decision.Key Takeaways:The #1 mistake CEOs make regarding their first finance hire: seeing it as a cost center and not a value driver. Signs that your business is ready for a finance hire and what to look for - whether you’re looking for a bookkeeper or CFOStories about the consequences of waiting too long–and what to do instead.Fractional CFO vs. full-time CFO: what works, what doesn’t, and whyHow the right CFO adds huge value — from investor due diligence to bank negotiationsKey interview questions and what to listen for when making your first senior finance hireSubscribe to Cash Flow & Tell for more real-world insights on raising capital, managing cash flow, and scaling your business. Explore more episodes and resources here: https://www.fundthrough.com/cash-flow-and-tell-podcast/when-is-it-time-to-hire-a-cfo/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep-2-listing&utm_content=learn-more #CashFlow #SMB #SMBFinance #CFO

You’ve done the work, your client’s happy, and the invoice is out the door, but the money still isn’t in your bank account. Why? In this episode, FundThrough COO JC Mattos breaks down the truth behind the invoice payment gap that stalls growth for so many small and mid-sized businesses–and unpacks how these delays strain cash flow, limiting your ability to take on new opportunities.You’ll learn why cash flow—not profit—is the deciding factor in whether most businesses survive, and how modern solutions like invoice factoring and embedded finance are helping companies get paid today instead of months from now. If you’ve ever felt like you’re acting more like a bank than a business owner, this episode will show you how to take back control.Key Takeaways:The reasons payment delays cause the invoice payment gap and why it’s getting worse. Why cash flow, not profit, determines whether a business can grow.Real examples illustrating what invoice factoring really is, how it works, and why it’s not debt.The reasons small and medium-sized businesses are using invoice factoring as a growth tool, making it a competitive advantage—not a last resortHow fintechs are creating a movement to fix the broken system, enabling CEOs, business owners, and finance leads to put cash flow problems behind them. Subscribe to Cash Flow & Tell for more unfiltered conversations on the real challenges of running and growing a business—from mastering cash flow to navigating tough financial decisions. Explore more resources here: https://www.fundthrough.com/cash-flow-and-tell-podcast/you-delivered-so-why-are-you-still-waiting-to-get-paid/?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ep-1-listing&utm_content=learn-more #CashFlowAndTell #SmallBusiness #CashFlowManagement #Entrepreneurship #SMBFinance #ScalingSmart